The moist environment between toes is an open invitation to toenail fungus. If you do get a fungus infection, you'll want to see a podiatrist for treatment.

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A fungus can affect any part of the body, but the feet are especially vulnerable. When you wear socks and shoes and your feet sweat, you create a warm, moist environment that’s a perfect breeding ground for a nail fungus, says Oliver Zong, DPM, a podiatrist and director of surgery at NYC Footcare in New York City. If you tend to sweat heavily in general, you may be at greater risk of fungal infections, and if you develop the foot fungus commonly called athlete’s foot, it can also spread to your nails.

Toenail fungus is a condition podiatrists see quite often, says Dr. Zong. Though the signs are yellow nails that have a crumbly appearance, the problem goes deeper. The fungus invades the nail bed (the living skin under the nail) and the cuticle area, Zong explains. As the nail grows out, it becomes food for the fungus.

What can you do about it? First, create an environment that doesn’t allow toenail fungus to grow.

Practice good hygiene. Keeping feet clean by showering or bathing every day is the first step to avoiding toenail fungus. But equally important is making sure to completely dry your feet between the toes and around the nails.

Keep feet dry. Your goal is to prevent a moist environment. Sprinkle foot or antifungal powder on your feet and between toes before putting on your socks, Zong says. You can even use a roll-on antiperspirant on your feet.

Change your socks as needed. If you notice that your socks get moist during the day, bring an extra pair with you. Changing your socks frequently will help keep your feet dry and less susceptible to infections.

Alternate your shoes. If you’re prone to fungal infections, Zong recommends having several pairs of shoes and alternating them. That will allow your shoes to dry completely between wearings and avoid creating a breeding ground for the fungus. Use this approach for workout shoes as well as dress shoes.

Spray shoes with disinfectant. A disinfectant spray can kill any fungal spores that might linger inside your shoes and cause an infection.

Toenail Fungus Treatment Options

Fungus can affect the skin around your nail, the nail itself, or both, Zong says. Here are choices for toenail fungus treatment:

Trim it. Most of the time a fungal infection will start at the cuticle and spread from there, Zong says. But if you see a fungal infection at the tip of the nail, simply cut it away and use prevention strategies to keep it from returning.

Try over-the-counter remedies. If the infection is only affecting the skin, an over-the-counter antifungal cream works very well, Zong says. Another option: antifungal medicated nail polishes that you can buy over the counter or by prescription. The downside, however, is that these polishes can take up to a year to be effective and generally work better on mild cases.

Switch to an oral medication. When the infection is in your nail bed, rather than the skin around your nail, you need to treat it from the inside out with the help of a podiatrist, dermatologist, or general practitioner, says Zong. That means taking an oral antifungal medication prescribed by your doctor, usually for 90 days. Because it can cause liver problems in some people, your doctor will test your liver function before starting the medication and about halfway through the treatment, Zong explains. People with liver problems shouldn’t take this medication.

Consider laser treatment. If you can’t take the oral medication that treats nail fungus, some doctors may try to attack toenail fungus with a new laser treatment, Zong says. However, laser treatment is usually not covered by insurance and it’s too early to tell how effective this might be for toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus can be very resistant to treatment, and treatment can take months, so think prevention first. If you suspect a problem, see a podiatrist right away to get checked out and started on toenail fungus treatment if needed.

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